In-Vitro Diagnostics

An in vitro diagnostic is a method of performing a diagnostic test outside of a living body in an artificial environment, usually a laboratory. Everyday examples of in vitro testing include checking blood for signs of infections, or urine for the presence of glucose. The expression ‘in vitro’ comes from Latin, literally meaning “within the glass”. The name reflects the fact that historically such tests were conducted in glass vessels, such as test tubes.